Refugee Journey
Besides the commandment to love God, “Welcome the stranger” is the second most oft-repeated command in the Hebrew Scriptures.
More people are displaced from their homes today than at any other time in history. It is time for us as a church to respond.
The Refugee Journey is an interactive experience that helps churches:
- Become aware of the story of refugees.
- Engage with issues of injustice faced by refugees.
- Work together to raise support for the work of the Covenant through Serve Globally global personnel and Covenant World Relief & Development to respond to the refugee crisis around the world.
Won’t you join us on the journey?
How-To Guide
The Refugee Journey is an opportunity for you and your church to experience what it is like to be forced from your home and become a refugee. The project gives each person the opportunity to follow the story of Syrian or South Sudanese refugees from life before conflict all the way through to 10 years after being forced from their home. In addition, you will hear stories of recent refugees from Ukraine.
This guide links you to everything you need to re-create the Refugee Journey at your church. We would love to hear from you as you are considering the Refugee Journey or starting this process!
Videos
The Refugee Journey explores what it is like to be a refugee. Imagine what it would be like to be forced from your home in the middle of a normal day. This experience simulates the stories of actual Syrian, South Sudanese, and Ukrainian refugees. Discussion questions are provided in the How-To Guide above.
Additional Resources
Here are the resources you need to host a Refugee Journey at your church. You can host the experience for various sizes of groups and in various locations (outside, classroom, and throughout your building). Contact Covenant World Relief & Development to request more information about hosting a Refugee Journey.
Story Cards
Print enough for all participants. Print most of the cards with squares and circles. The cards with triangles should be approximately 1% of your group.
Signs & Stats
Statistics from the refugee crisis across the world.
Arabic Work Sheet
Use the provided Arabic worksheets for school simulation.
Chaos Sound Track
Use the provided chaos soundtrack to signal the group when it is time to flee.
Give to Refugee Relief
Your gift to Covenant World Relief & Development refugees will support our work with displaced people around the world.
CWRD Resources
More resources from Covenant World Relief & Development.
Thank You
We would like to thank Covenant World Relief and Development partners Medical Teams International (MTI) and the Evangelical Covenant Church of South Sudan and Ethiopia (ECCSSE) for their permission to use and their contribution of resources for the Refugee Journey.
